Robert Redford is currently appearing on our cinema screens as The Horse Whisperer. Heather Bishop meets Bradford's own version, who claims to be able to cure horses with his healing hands.

MIKE HOLLINGWORTH may not look anything like Robert Redford but he has been hailed as Bradford's very own horse whisperer.

The 48-year-old, who has also been nicknamed "the magic man" by his clients, has just given up his job as a lorry driver to become a full-time healer.

He believes he is the only person in the Bradford district to practice the holistic technique known as Equine Muscle Release Therapy and even uses it to treat cats and dogs.

But Mike is quick to play down the horse whisperer tag and claims his is a technique that anyone can learn.

"I'm no horse whisperer and I certainly don't have magic powers as some people think," he said. "What the original horse whisperer, Monty Roberts, does is amazing but what I do is an actual physical therapy rather than talking to the animals.

"I use a very light touch to move certain muscles in the horse to cure all sorts of ailments.

"It's a simple method but the results have been amazing both on humans and horses. It's all about treating the whole body."

The EMRT therapy is the equine equivalent of the Bowen Technique which originated in Australia and is used to treat a variety of complaints in humans, especially back, neck and joint problems.

Mike, who lives with his partner Joyce in Bierley, was first introduced to the therapy after suffering from back problems.

"I read a piece in the Telegraph & Argus three years ago about the Bowen Technique and was interested in trying it to help,'' he said. "I was totally amazed at the results and wanted to learn the technique so I could do it on myself. I took part in all the training and it developed from there. Now I can't imagine doing anything else with my life.

"I've just given up work as a lorry driver as it's finally starting to take off. People still think it's very pie in the sky but often change their minds when they see the effects.

"I've always loved horses and when I found out that the technique had been adapted for them a year ago, I was determined to have a go.

"Horses don't lie and they can't tell you what's wrong so it's amazing to see the change in the animal after one or two treatments. Often owners have been to the vets but they can't find anything wrong, or the animals just don't show any improvement with drugs. Nine out of ten times, our therapy makes a noticeable difference. Owners are amazed as the most aggressive of animals normally end up asleep at the end of the 30 minute sessions."

The West Yorkshire Equine Muscle Release Therapy Associates recommend that animals are diagnosed by a vet before treatment.

It says the "hands on" therapy can treat a whole range of muscular and skeletal disorders, tightness and tension and psychological problems.

For more information about the Bowen Technique and Equine Muscle Release Therapy contact Mike Hollingworth on Bradford 686612.

Therapy success

Diane French, who runs Rivendell Equine Rescue in Westfield Lane, Wrose, said Mike has been working on her horses for a year.

"I've been really impressed by the results," she said. "The improvement in some of them has been amazing. It's very calming and relaxing for the horse and it also helps with any psychological problems. A lot of the animals we look after have been neglected and the therapy really seems to help them.

"I'd never heard of it before I met Mike but I'm a great believer in having an open mind about things.

Mrs French said one of Mike's success stories was Bambi, a 27-year-old arthritic mare.

"Mike worked on her twice a week for eight weeks and then suddenly everything started to loosen up,'' she said.

"One day she just shot off round the field like a lunatic and hasn't gone back on drugs since."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.